Dr. Leighton B. Wilklow, 77, died Nov. 28, 2009, at Indian River Medical Center. He was born in Highland, N.Y., and lived in Vero Beach for 26 years, coming from western New York. He graduated from Highland High School, attended Ithaca College and Cortland State Teachers College, where he earned letters in baseball and was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He received his master’s degree from Springfield College and earned his doctorate in public administration at the University of Connecticut. He started his career teaching and coaching sports, becoming a superintendent of schools in upstate New York. He wrote many magazine and journal articles and co-wrote a textbook. He was a veteran of the Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant. He served aboard the heavy cruiser USS Columbus and the battleship USS Wisconsin. He received the World War II Occupation Medal-Navy and continued his service for about 10 years in the Naval Reserve. He was a charter member of Hawks Nest Golf Club, a member of the Exchange Club of Vero Beach and Point West Golf Club. He was in Who’s Who in the USA. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Carol Ann Wilklow of Vero Beach; son, L. Stephen Wilklow of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughters, Stephanie Dawn Cates of Colorado Springs, Terri Lynn Wiebke of Westcliffe, Colo., and Julie Ann Stroh of Vero Beach; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, Southeast Florida, 2701 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
